Being tied for the most Super Bowl appearances in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots is something to be proud of. However, the Broncos have had their struggles in the big game.
Super Bowl Losses
They have been on the losing end of three of the five most lopsided Super Bowls in history. The first is the 55-10 beatdown they took from the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV. The 1989 49ers are widely considered among the best teams in NFL history and showed why behind the strength of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and coach Bill Walsh.
Just two years ago they never got into rhythm against the Seattle Seahawks and lost 43-8. The most prolific offense of all time was shut down by the dynamic Seattle defense and the Seahawks got out to a 36-0 lead in the first blowout Super Bowl since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The least severe of these three defeats came against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII, losing 42-10. The Broncos could not contain the Hogs as the Redskins offense as they rolled to their second win in the Super Bowl and gave the Broncos their third loss in the big game.
Their other two losses in the big one were to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII 27-10 for Tom Landry's second Super Bowl win and in Super Bowl XVI to the New York Giants 39-20 in the first Super Bowl win for Bill Parcells and the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.
Super Bowl Victories
But it hasn't been all bad. The Broncos did pull off one of the more surprising upsets in Super Bowl history when they shocked the heavily favored Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. It was the first of back to back titles for Denver as John Elway only threw for 123 yards but three rushing touchdowns by Terrell Davis won the day for Denver. The next year Denver sent Elway out a back to back champion as they defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. Elway threw for 336 yards in his final game while Atlanta's Chris Chandler threw three interceptions.
Super Bowl Coaches
Red Miller was the head coach for the first Super Bowl they played, a loss to Dallas. The next three losses were under Dan Reeves before Mike Shanahan led them to the two victories. John Fox was the head man for their most recent loss while they will be led by Gary Kubiak into Super Bowl 50. They are the only franchise to go to Super Bowl under five different head coaches.
This will be Peyton Manning's fourth Super Bowl appearance, trying him for third all-time with Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly and Roger Staubach. He trails only Tom Brady and Elway in Super Bowl appearances, who have six and five, respectively.
Super Bowl Record
The Broncos own the record for most Super Bowl losses with five, ahead of the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Patriots all with four. But with a win they can become the ninth team to win three or more Super Bowls, along with the Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers, Giants, Packers, Patriots, Redskins and their division rival Raiders.